I managed to come home 6 times in 20 years for Holidays and 1 of them was Christmas so I treasure the gathering of family. The whole clan was at our middle girls house and of course we dont know from year to year how many can be present, as work and school may intervene. The Twins ( the oldest grands) are now 21 life is reving up for them as it has for all of us. I usually took some married shipmates duty so he could be home with his family at Christmas. I never asked anything for this but recieved many home cooked meals because of it. Beer too !!! The beer days are gone but I have something far more precious. My Everything ( read wife ) and family . What more could an Old Sailor wish for ???
